Hidden Fees Discovered for “Free” Windows 7 Upgrades

[Nick]

http://www.mouseprint.org/wp-content/avert/win7lenovo3.jpg
Example of typical OEM Windows 7 upgrade offer

From Mouseprint.orgOctober 1, 2009

Since June 26, retailers and computer manufacturers have urged shoppers to buy computers already on store shelves loaded with the much-maligned Windows Vista operating system because they would qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it was released in October. As it turns out, Mouse Print* has learned that some computer purchasers will be (required) to pay shipping, handling and other junk fees that total between $11 and $17 to receive their “free” upgrade disks. ...More @ Mouseprint.org (http://www.mouseprint.org/2009/10/01/hidden-fees-discovered-for-free-windows-7-upgrades/)

[Marlin Guy]

I'm happy to see that Dell is saying there will be no charge to their consumers who bought online and retail.

This part may catch some folks by surprise as well.


* Computers with Windows Vista Basic are excluded from the program;
* Computers with Windows XP (except for the Professional Vista version downgraded to XP) are also excluded. That means virtually all purchasers of netbooks will not get Windows 7 free.
* Purchasers of boxed Windows Vista software versions higher than Basic since June 26 must process their upgrade requests through Microsoft at a cost of $9.99 for shipping and handling.

[HIPAR]

If all of this makes your head spin, put off your purchase until you can buy a new computer with Win 7 installed and working.

--- CHAS

[ncxcstud]

Anything that is 'advertised' for free usually includes S&H... I'd still rather pay S&H of about 15 dollars instead of paying almost 200 for the program....